Air Force on why it failed to down all missiles during attack

Illia Yevlash, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force (Getty Images)

In the morning of May 30, Russia unleashed a barrage of 11 cruise missiles across Ukraine from its strategic bombers, with 7 of them being successfully intercepted by Ukrainian air defense forces. However, the defenders were unable to neutralize all hostile projectiles due to a shortage of resources, citing Illia Yevlash, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force.

"Last night, our units engaged in electronic warfare operations, as well as mobile fire groups and anti-aircraft missile troops, managed to down 7 out of 11 missiles. Previously, we had a higher success rate in eliminating incoming threats," he said.

According to the spokesperson, the lack of 100% effectiveness in air defense operations can be attributed to resource shortages.

"The main issue here is the deficit in air defense resources. We have to maneuver with the assets at our disposal to fend off attacks, as the enemy frequently launches strikes from various locations, employing both drones and missiles," Yevlash explained.

Further details on attack

Russia targeted Ukraine not only with Kh-101/Kh-555 missiles from Tu-95MS strategic aircraft but also unleashed 32 Shahed drones and struck Kharkiv region with S-300/S-400 surface-to-air missiles.

Ukrainian air defense forces successfully neutralized all enemy drones. Operations were conducted in the Khmelnytsky, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kherson, Kyiv, and Vinnytsia regions.

Russian forces targeted infrastructure in Kharkiv, resulting in injuries to seven individuals.

Additionally, Russian forces attacked the settlement of Mala Danylivka, resulting in extensive destruction.